Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), stated that in the age of digital technologies and sustainability challenges, the energy landscape is being revolutionised by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is a major step toward a more energy-secure future.
Al Olama made the statement at a high-level session organised by MoEI as part of its participation at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). Titled ‘Empowering Net Zero: Navigating the Path to Sustainable Energy Transition’, the session featured dynamic discussions aimed at steering global efforts towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy landscape.
The session focused on the opportunities and challenges of setting ambitious goals for the energy transition and climate neutrality and explored the policies, technologies, and investments needed to realise these goals.
Al Olama said, ‘The UAE aims to build a robust clean energy system while reducing
emissions from the oil and gas sector by 25% by 2030 through investing in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, whose capacity was increased 10-fold by 2030. We are also developing other technologies, such as renewables, energy efficiency, and hydrogen.
‘The UAE has made confident strides in sustaining and diversifying its energy systems, as it invested AED145 billion in mega solar, wind, hydrogen, nuclear, and hydroelectric projects in the past 15 years. It will invest an additional AED150 – 200 billion by 2030 to meet the increasing demand for energy and sustain economic growth.’
He added, ‘The UAE made sure to have a regulatory framework in place that is conducive to the energy transition. It updated its Energy Strategy 2050, launched the National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, and issued a federal decree law regarding connecting the distributed renewable units into the grid.’
Session participants emphasised the importance for countries and organisations to scale up their climate action and wo
rk together to increase reliance on renewables to ensure a sustainable future powered by innovation and collaboration for next generations.
They highlighted the role of innovation and scientific research in driving clean energy and green technology to balance meeting energy needs with enhancing sustainable development. They further noted that international cooperation and strategic partnerships between government, private sector, and community are crucial tools to expedite the transition to clean energy.
Source: Emirates News Agency